Welcome to Good News Day on News24! Three years ago, we decided to flip the switch and dedicate 1 April to stories about South Africans who inspire, delight and uplift.
Instead of publishing silly stories for April Fool's Day, we flood our news stream today with stories about compatriots who walk the extra mile to build and save our country. The response was incredible.
Your feedback was overwhelmingly positive. In a news cycle dominated by news about what's wrong, we all breathed a collective sigh of relief. Because what is right is also part of the South African story.
The success of South Africa depends not only on politicians in Tshwane and Sandton executives but also on each one of us doing one good deed a day.
At News24, we will continue to celebrate the stories of the people you will read about below. We'll be telling their stories over the course of the day, and they'll all be free to read. You can also read other stories like this on our Good News tab on News24. Enjoy!
GOOD NEWS
OUR TOP 5 STORIES
Meet Khayelitsha's first Airbnb experience hosts: Township tourism pioneers changing the narrative
For a decade, a Khayelitsha-based travel agency has been redefining township tourism by offering immersive cultural experiences, local cuisine, and educational tours, writes Velani Ludidi.
After losing her sister, Aunt's sacrifice helps niece achieve graduation dream
Goodness Mntambo's greatest dream was for her children to get a good education. And after her death in 2021, just weeks before her youngest was scheduled to start college, her sister, Celiwe Mntambo, beat all odds to make sure that dream did not die with her, writes Bernadette Wicks.
Good Samaritans on duty for 42 years: Meet the road safety angels on deadly Van Reenan's Pass
Van Reenen's Pass, which joins the Free State with KwaZulu-Natal along the N3 highway, is one of the most dangerous stretches of road in South Africa. Phillip Hull and his team of volunteers have been doing their bit to make the notorious road safer for 42 years now, writes Reuben van Niekerk.
Husband-and-wife team saved over 2 000 animals in one year at the Owl Rescue Centre
From water-terrified otters to convincing farmers to spare leopards, this husband-wife team are transforming wildlife rescue in South Africa. Their sanctuary is now also the world's largest owl haven — and their stories will make your heart soar, writes Muhammad Hussain.
Pearl Modiadie's R250 000 donation sparks hope at Sarah Sibiya's Tshepang Care Centre
In a heartwarming tale of generosity and resilience, the Tshepang Care Centre in Tembisa experienced a life-changing moment when actor and presenter Pearl Modiadie donated her quarter-of-a-million winnings from the local spin-off of Deal or No Deal Celebrity, writes Keitumetse Maako.
GOOD NEWS
WHAT OUR READERS SAID
'More stories please!' Readers find respite and delight in News24's Good News Day
This was not an April Fools' joke. News24 has for the third year celebrated Good News Day, an initiative run on the first of April each year. Subscribers shared their gratitude and thoughts across the good, inspiring, and hopeful stories as they rolled out, writes Saara Mowlana.
GOOD NEWS
OUR STORIES
From protege to CEO... how Praisy Dlamini is changing the women-in-wine game
Praisy Dlamini, SA's first woman Cape Winemakers Guild Protege, is now CEO and winemaker at Adama Wines. Adama Wines is 55% black-owned, 30% female-run, and focused on empowering women in the wine industry, writes Daléne Fourie.
CATCH the cricketing rose that spawns in Khayelitsha's concrete and leaden violence
In the violence-ridden and gang-infested concrete world that is Khayelitsha, a cricketing rose in the form of the Cricket and Talent Centre of Hope (CATCH) Trust that is providing a sporting oasis in one of the most difficult places to live in the country, writes Khanyiso Tshwaku.
Braai, sports teams, lazy days: What makes SA happy? Here's what the pros say
Braaivleis on glowing briquettes and summertime cricket, lazy public holidays and sports teams that win... These are a few of South Africans' favourite things!
While you’d think any South African would tell you this goes without saying, Simon Sonnekus writes these claims are actually backed up by scientific data.
Children near Cape Agulhas have never seen Africa's southernmost tip, but now they can catch a new bus
Children in Struisbaai who haven't seen the southern tip of Africa even though it's just a 15-minute ride away, now have a chance to visit thanks to a SanParks bus initiative, writes Qaqamba Matundu.
WATCH | Paw-sitive imprint: Dr Justice Masilela is bridging the gap in veterinary care in communities
Dr Justice Masilela is the proud owner of veterinary clinic in Benoni reaching those without care. When he is not in his clinic, he spends his time on nearby farms, assisting small-scale and emerging farmers with veterinary consultations, writes Thahasello Mphatsoe.
Blood, sweat and cheers: A donor's tale chasing the Man with the Golden Arm
Jonathan Ancer reflects on 72 blood donations, a life-saving lesson from his daughter’s illness, and the rookie mistake of drinking too much coffee — all while chasing the legacy of the Man with the Golden Arm.
From safety to solidarity: How women-led walks are transforming communities
In South Africa, women are organising walking groups like Women Who Walk at (Almost) Midnight to reclaim their right to safely access public spaces amid the gender-based violence crisis, writes Saya Pierce-Jones.
From kneading dough to kneading hearts: Mama Mirriam's daily recipe for uplifting Mbekweni
Mama Mirriam Toni's life in Paarl is filled with giving, from frying vetkoeks, baking breads and cakes for the community to providing school lunches for children in her community, writes Noluthando Ngcakani.
WATCH | Fashion designer turns plastics into beauty: Phumudzo's eco-friendly revolution
In her mission to eradicate plastic waste from Mogale City and Orange Farm, fashion designer Phumudzo Muthanyi has upcycled more than 100 000 tonnes of single-use plastics from the area to create eco-friendly leather bags, accessories and furniture, writes Rosetta Msimango.
Too precious to pollute: Amadiba's young people cleaning environmentally sensitive coastline
Fueled by their love for their community and concern for marine and terrestrial life, the youth of Amadiba in the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast have been leading coastline cleaning campaigns to combat pollution, writes Sithandiwe Velaphi.
These moms have never seen this endangered parrot, but their crocheted toys help save them
Leah Mavimbela, 61, has never seen the green and gold plumage of the critically endangered Cape Parrot. But her crochet work is helping fund efforts to save the threatened species, writes Nicole McCain.
Chess is becoming super popular in South Africa. Here's why that's great
South Africans are playing chess in ever-greater numbers online and at clubs. That's a great thing. Building a strong chess culture may help South Africans compete at the sport's highest level in the years ahead, writes William Brederode.
Turning traps into treasure: Jewellery made from snares helps in fight to save wildlife
Poaching snares collected from reserves in the Lowveld region, in the northern part of South Africa, are being turned into jewellery that is sold to fund wildlife conservation, writes Qaqamba Matundu.
GOOD NEWS
FROM THE GOOD NEWS EDITOR
Good News Day has always been an amazing celebration of South Africans. But in the past, when the day was over, we would say goodbye until next year.
This time, with the establishment of a dedicated good news desk, we will now bring you at least one of these stories a day hereafter. So tune in tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day.
From me Paul Herman, thanks for celebrating with us, and continue to follow News24 for more inspiring stories about South Africans doing extraordinary things around our country.
Our subscribers are not just supporters; they are our partners in delivering in-depth journalism. By subscribing, you empower us to delve deeper into every facet of South African life. Dive in and join us on this journey.
News24 editor-in-chief: Adriaan Basson
Good News Editor: Paul Herman
Design: Sharlene Rood, Mihle Mdashe and Saara Mowlana
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